Coleman, the Ohio State product, has a history with Michigan State University alum Cousins.

In his NFL starting debut last week, Cousins threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns to spark the Washington Redskins to a 38-21 win at Cleveland.

With Robert Griffin III nursing a sprained knee, the Eagles have to be prepared for two quarterbacks.

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Coleman, scratched for the second straight week in favor of safety Colt Anderson, says there’s only one way to look at his situation. And that’s to be the best teammate he can, in any way he can.

“He’s a good passer. He’s a good passing QB,” Coleman said. “I don’t know what the different scheme is right now with him being in there, but he can throw the ball. And if I remember correctly, at one point in his senior season he was up there for top QB in the country. So he’s up there as one of the really good QBs that can play this game.”

Coleman started the first 12 games at safety this season. He started 10 of the last 11 in 2011, the Eagles winning the last four games. Aggregate the Eagles’ record with Coleman starting this season and last, and it’s understandable why they’re turning over every rock to improve. The Eagles are just 10-15 with Coleman starting at safety.

For whatever reason — the very modest change in the D-line alignment, the insertion of Anderson, the livelier pass rush — the Eagles have greatly reduced the big pass plays they’ve been shredded for.

The last game against the Redskins, Griffin threw for 200 yards and four touchdowns, including scoring passes of 49, 61 and 17 yards in a 31-6 rout of the Eagles. When the dust settled, Griffin exited with a perfect 158.3 passer rating.

“The first two touchdowns, if I remember, were basically uncontested,” Coleman said. “And that’s just inexcusable. I had a chance to get a pick. It’s neither here nor there that someone got a little offensive PI (pass interference) but it didn’t get called. It was just missed opportunities. And we’ve got to eliminate those big plays. Their offense is predicated on run, run, run, play-action and catch you sleeping.”

Coleman, whatever happens this week, views his role the way he always has — teammate first.

“Obviously I want to play. I want to start,” Coleman said. “But that’s not my decision so I’m going to go about my business and try to help this team as much as possible regardless of what happens. I think Colt’s played a great two games. He’s made a lot of plays. He’s been where he needs to be. It’s just about helping each other out. We’re in this together. There’s no hard feelings. We want to win games. I want to win games. That’s the bottom line.”

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NOTES: The Eagles put tight end Clay Harbor on injured reserve with a lower back issue. Harbor had 25 receptions for 188 yards (7.5 average) and two touchdowns. Eagles rookie quarterback Nick Foles connected on just 21 of 46 attempts for 204 yards and two interceptions in his NFL starting debut against the Redskins. “I just remember Washington, they’re a talented team,” Foles said. “Very solid defense. They’re going to move around a lot, a lot of speed and we’re going to have to be good.” The Redskins are 5-0 straight up against the spread in their last five games. They’re 3-point underdogs this Sunday. Coleman, Anderson and Eagles teammates Nate Allen, Nnamdi Asomugha, Brandon Boykin, Curtis Marsh and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie helped distribute presents and well wishes at the 56th Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit for Children Tuesday at the Sheraton Downtown. Eagles corporate partner NRG backed the purchase of 400 gifts.